Bebop Spoken There

Art Blakey (to Terence Blanchard): ''You ain't Miles find your own shit to do!'' (DownBeat May, 2026)

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18532 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 396 of them this year alone and, so far this month (May 15) 50

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

From This Moment On

May

Tue 19: GoGo Penguin + Daudi Matsiko @ Wylam Brewery, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £22.00 + £4.40 bf.
Tue 19: Danny Lowndes’ Hot Club @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £15.00 + £5.00 bf.
Tue 19: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Mark Robertson (drums).

Wed 20: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 20: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 20: Jordan Jackson @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £19.80 (inc. bf); £15.40 (inc. bf).
Wed 20: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 21: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 21: Jazz Classics with Rivkala @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Rivkala (vocals); Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass).
Thu 21: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 22: Paul Skerritt @ Market Place, Durham. From 12 noon. Free. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Fri 22: Paul Edis Trio @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £9.00. Edis, Andy Champion, Steve Hanley.
Fri 22: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 22: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 22: Castillo Nuevo Trio @ Hotel Gotham, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Fri 22: Paul Edis Trio @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. 7:30pm. £TBC. Edis, Andy Champion, Steve Hanley.

Sat 23: Tyne Valley Big Band @ Bywell Hall. 2:00pm. Northumberland County Show.
Sat 23: Paul Edis @ Core Music, Gilesgate, Hexham. 3:00pm. £12.00. A Core Music fundraiser, Hexham Jazz Weekender Day/Weekend ticket not applicable. Hexham Jazz Weekender.
Sat 23: Blyth Big Band @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 6:30pm. £9.00., £5.00.
Sat 23: Paul Edis & Friends @ Musicwonders, Church Chare, Chester-le-Street. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). £15.00. www.musicwonders.org. BYOB. SOLD OUT!
Sat 23: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Queen’s Hall Hexham. 7:00pm. £13.50 (inc. bf). Hexham Jazz Weekender.
Sat 23: TC & the Groove Family + Lagos to Longbenton @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £17.51., £14.33., £11.16.
Sat 23: Davina & the Vagabonds @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £22.00. + £1.50 bf.
Sat 23: Celebrating Wes Montgomery @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 8:15pm. £14.00., £12.00. Hexham Jazz Weekender.
Sat 23: Chris Coull’s Porgy & Bess @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 9:30pm. £16.50 (inc. bf). Hexham Jazz Weekender.

Sun 24: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Table reservations (0191 261 8000). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 24: SwanNek @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. £11.50 (inc. bf). Hexham Jazz Weekender.
Sun 24: Salty Dog @ The Globe, Newcastle. 3:00pm. Free. Donations.
Sun 24: Ben Crosland’s Threeway @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:00pm. £13.50 (inc. bf). Line-up inc. Steve Waterman. Hexham Jazz Weekender.
Sun 24: Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 24: Street Brass Band Bonanza: The Fanfare + Storytellers + Tenth Avenue Band @ The Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £10.00., £8.00.
Sun 24: Charlie Parr @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £17.50. Blues. Jumpin’ Hot Club.
Sun 24: Olly Styles Experience @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £7.00.
Sun 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 8:15pm. £13.50 (inc. bf). Hexham Jazz Weekender. Feat. Jamil Sheriff.
Sun 24: Modern Vikings @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 9:30pm. £16.50 (inc. bf). Hexham Jazz Weekender.

Mon 25: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Monday, July 07, 2014

RIP Kathy Stobart


Just heard the sad news that Kathy Stobart died on July 5. Born in South Shields (1925) Kathy has always been held in warm affection by north east jazz fans starting her professional career with Peter Fielding's Band at the Oxford Galleries aged 17. Moving to London soon after she played in a variety of bands big and small. Married and divorced Canadian bassist Art Thompson and later trumpeter Bert Courtley with whom she briefly co-lead a modern sextet.
Spells with Vic Lewis and Humphrey Lyttleton followed and it was in Humph's band she spent her later playing years.
In the photo she is leading her own band with Lennie Best on vibes at the 1982 Newcastle Jazz Festival.
Arguably the first outstanding British female sax player Kathy was also considered by many to be "The First Lady of British Jazz" not bad for a lass from Shields!
Very sadly missed.
Kathy was 89.
Obituary.
Lance.
PS: Kathy's brother the late Ralph Stobart was an early member of the Customs House Big Band.
at

6 comments :

Brian Bennett said...

Although I only saw Kathy on 2 occasions, both with trumpeter, Humphrey Lyttelton, she certainly made a lasting impression. The first occasion was at Newcastle Guildhall on the Quayside sometime in the early 1970's. The front-liners, Humph; Kathy, tenor & baritone sax and the brilliant Bruce Turner on alto were truly incredible - I can't recall the rhythm section but they were dynamic, too. Can anyone name them? Although I knew Kathy was from South Shields, I was unaware she had a brother who also played sax, until bass player, Derek Dixon, mentioned doing gigs with 'Ralphy' Stobart. Thinking back, the Guildhall was a terrific venue for jazz. Great acoustics, cabaret seating (no problem getting to the bar for a refill) and the Sunday afternoon concerts with The Newcastle Big Band were memorable.

Monday, July 07, 2014 5:40:00 PM
Steve Andrews (on F/b) said...

A great saxophonist, and a pioneer woman jazz musician competing at the top level. Sorry to hear this.

Monday, July 07, 2014 6:33:00 PM
Mia Webb (on F/b) said...

Very sad news. I used to pick Ralph up and take him to the Customs House rehearsals when Kim first joined. I met Kathy a few times, she was a lovely lady.

Monday, July 07, 2014 6:34:00 PM
Hugh said...

A sad loss. Her album "Arbeia" is a favourite of ours, first purchased in the original vinyl format, but now also on CD.

Wednesday, July 09, 2014 10:19:00 PM
Hugh said...

Listen out for a track from Arbeia - "Cry of Triumph" together with more from Kathy Stobart on Radio 3's Jazz Record Requests this coming Saturday http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04fy978

Thursday, August 28, 2014 8:38:00 PM
Michael Dunn said...

Kathy introduced me to the world of jazz when we both worked at Bill Lewington's in the late 1960's. A lovely lady, and a lasting influence.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014 12:29:00 PM

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